What is Anaphylaxis and How Do I Treat It?

A BBC report has suggested that cases of dangerous allergic reactions are on the rise and the figures have more than doubled in the past two decades.

But what is Anaphylaxis, what is the first aid treatment for it and how serious is it?

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening, whole body allergic reaction. It is triggered by a person at risk coming into contact with an allergen to which their body has become hypersensitive. This allergen is usually completely harmless to the majority of other people.

Anaphylaxis occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to a perceived threat and produces large amounts of histamine to try to counteract that threat. 

What triggers Anaphylaxis?

Common triggers include nuts, shellfish, dairy products, medicines, chemicals, animals and wasp and bee stings but this is by no means an exhaustive list. 

Sometimes coming into contact with even a tiny amount of allergen can be enough to trigger an anaphylactic shock.

Those at risk of anaphylaxis need to be particularly careful in the following situations.

• If they have poorly controlled asthma
• If they have or have recently had an infection
• If they are suffering from hay fever
• If they exercise just before or after contact with the allergen
• If they are experiencing emotional stress
• If they have been drinking alcohol
• If they have taken a ‘non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug’ (NSAID) such as aspirin or ibuprofen

What are the symptoms of Anaphylaxis?

Symptoms of anaphylaxis can progress rapidly. Watch out for the following symptoms.

• Swelling in the face, mouth, neck and tongue
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Difficulty in breathing
• Anxiety and distress
• Flushed or pale skin
• Confusion, dizziness, feeling faint
• Pain, swelling, redness or rash around the area of the contact

How do I administer first aid to suspected Anaphylaxis?

Those at risk from anaphylaxis should have been issued with auto-injectors by their G.P. It is important that these auto injectors are;

• carried at all times
• in date
• of the correct dose

It's really important to remember that if the casualty is unable to administer their own auto-injector, anyone can do it for them.

If you suspect that someone is experiencing an anaphylactic shock, it’s vital to act fast.

• Call for an emergency ambulance immediately
• Allow the casualty to sit in a position that aids their breathing
• Allow the casualty to take their own medication or administer their auto injector yourself
• Be prepared to treat for shock
• Be prepared to resuscitate
• Be prepared to re-administer the auto-injector at 5-minute intervals, if there is no improvement, or if symptoms return.

As a first aider at work, what do I need to know?

Your employer or HR team may be aware that an employee is at risk from anaphylaxis.

If they know that an employee is at risk, the management or HR team should have carried out risk assessments to reduce the likelihood of an attack happening in the workplace.

Employees are not obliged to share information regarding their allergy. 

Ask your HR team if they are able to share information with you regarding anyone who may be at risk. 

If information is permitted to be shared, it’s good to know;

• Who the employees at risk are
• Whereabouts in the building they work
• If they carry an auto-injector
• Where their auto-injector is kept

At Help! First Aid Training, we believe that knowledge is power, preparation is key and confidence in your skills is everything. That’s why our courses include hands-on, practical training with experienced, qualified instructors who are there to support and guide you.

We cover anaphylaxis thoroughly in the following courses:

• Emergency First Aid at Work
• First Aid at Work
• Re-qualification First Aid at Work
• Paediatric First Aid

You’ll leave feeling confident and ready to act in an emergency — whether at work, at home, or out in public.

Book Your Training Today

Want to learn more or book a course? We’d love to hear from you!

We run regular open courses at our Shildon Business Centre in County Durham, and we can also deliver onsite training at your location. We cover Newcastle to Newton Aycliffe, Darlington to Durham, Hartlepool to Houghton le Spring and everywhere in between.

If you're an employer in the construction industry, don’t forget — CITB grants may cover up to 70% of your training costs.

Email: info@helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk 

Call us: 01388 417303
Website: www.helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk
CITB Info: https://www.citb.co.uk/

BBCReport on rising anaphylaxis figures; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66330268